A little bit of History.

Pangkor Island used to be a Dutch Fort in the 17th Century. The Dutch used Pulau Pangkor as an outpost to control trades in the Malay Peninsula. The fort was built by the Dutch in 1670 for storage and protection of tin supplies from the sultanate of Perak. The fort was destroyed in 1690 by the Malays who were discontent with the methods used by the Dutch in obtaining minerals. It was rebuilt by the Dutch in 1743 and a force of 60 soldiers was placed to guard the fort until 1748, when the force was disbanded and the fort abandoned. The Dutch called the collection of island as The Dindings.

The Dutch Fort or Kota Belanda

Besides the Dutch, Pangkor island also drew the attention of Pirates who roams the seas around the straights of Malacca. They robbed boats and ships in the Straits of Malacca and hid themselves on the hills on the island.

On the waterfront at Teluk Gedong, 3km south of Pangkor Town, is this mammoth stone carved (Batu Bersurat – Carved Inscription ) with the symbol of the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie; VOC) and other graffiti, including a faint depiction of a tiger stealing a kid. Supposedly, the child of a local European dignitary disappeared while playing near the rock; the Dutch liked the idea of a tiger abduction, although she was more likely nabbed by disenchanted locals.

The mainland is know as Lumur (under the district of Seri Manjung) is the Royal Naval base of Malaysia. A 30 minutes ferry rides from the Lumut Jetty get you to  Pangkor Island. The locals here are mainly involved in fishery, tourism and some in the boat building industry at Sungai Pinang Kecil

The Ferry ride to Pulau Pangkor from The Lumut Jetty is approximately 30 minutes. To get to Pualu Pangkor you need to get down on the second stip ans the first stop is a fishing vilage .

Attraction and Activities  in Pulau Pangkor.

Dutch Fort and the Tiger Rock - the only remaining piece of history from  the Dutch era. The fort is about 3km's south of Pangkor Town at Teluk Gedong.

Diving – Pulau Jarak : the best diving island in Pangkor region. The water here is crystal clear up to 20 m for 70% of the year. Located 34 km Southwest of Lumut.This tiny island (barely 8 hectares in size) rises 50m above sea level and is covered with lush vegetation, where many sea eagles nest. There is no beach on Pulau Jarak, only granite sloping down to the sandy sea bed with small patches of stony, encrusting and soft corals. The island's boulder-strewn coastline makes it virtually inaccessible, leaving Pulau Jarak's pristine wonders mostly unexplored. Its underwater enchantment includes brightly coloured cup corals, football sized Pink-mouth Murex, purple Crown-of Thorns Starfish and many other sea creatures in a multitude of colours, shapes and sizes. The lure of this island beckons divers to penetrate its natural barricades and probe into the mysterious and astounding underwater realm that Pulau Jarak has to offer.

Fishing - Pulau Sembilan the fishing haven with 13 islands to hunt for all kinds of fishes.

Hornbill feeding - Hand feeding the wild birds at 6:30PM everyday near Seagull Lodge.

Foo Lin King Temple - Taoist temple just off the main road at Sungai Pinang Besar, about 1.5 km north of Pangkor Town. The brightly colored temple is well maintained in a beautiful garden setting. Perched on the roof are animals depicting horoscope signs. There is a fish pond and a turtle pool . The temple is set against a hill backdrop. Creeping up the hill is a mini version of the Great Wall of China with impressive details.

Suspension Bridge -  A sign post on the side of the Pasir Bogak road signals the start of a short walk into the jungle to an old suspension bridge

Island Hopping – Available from most beach activity operators.

Pulau Giam – A popular snorkeling spot. The island is fronting Teluk Nipah . You can rent a canoe and paddle across or a 5 minute boat ride.

Coral Island – Similar to Giam Island. Its right beside Pulau Giam

Teluk Segadas – You can either take a  boat or 20 minutes hike there. Probably the most beautiful non private beach in Pangkor.You can camp here if you want to.

Water Activities - The usual scene of Banana Boats and Jet Ski’s . The operates can be found all around beach sides but mainly concentrated in Bogak Beach and Nipah Beach.

Wild Lives

With a little effort you can spot the below wildlife's

- Mudskippers

- Turtles

- Monkeys

- Eagles

- Hornbills

- Sea Otters

- Monitor Lizards

- Boar

- Crested Argus

Hornbills

Puffer Fish or locally known as Ikan Buntal

Sea Urchins

Source : MIR , Virtual Tourist , Journey Malaysia . Lonely Planet

The lake that is full folklores  from ancient civilization to mystical creatures.The 12.5 acres which is made up of 12 lakes is only second to Lake Bera, also in Pahang. The aborigines suggest that once upon a time both of these lakes were connected.

The Jakun Home 

There were reports of occasional sightings of the monster by the locals, indigenous and even  tourist but unfortunately there is no scientific evidence of the  existence of it. .Naga Seri Gumum or the Malaysian Loch Ness Monster is believed to inhibit  this Lake. 

Now off course, it has to be guarding someone or something right? It is said that "Naga Tasik Chini ( Lake Chini Dragon) guard a sunken ancient Khmer City. The city dates back to the 5th Century  The existence of Nelumbo Nucifera (Sacred Lotus) A species of lotus from Lake Chini which is the same species from many ancient Asian sites such as Angkor Wat (ancient Khmer,Cambodia) goes the further excites the existence of the hidden city.The lake is filled with blooming lotus from the period of August to September. The are also some that believe that the Lotus was brought to the lake by a monk from Khmer with a group of Khmer refuges that fled the country during war. As the lake resembles Ton le Sap, they've decided to stay in Lake Chini. During the monsoonal floods, from October to January, the lotus would die but their fertilized new seeds would litter the lake bottom waiting the dry season to bloom again.

The Sacred Lotus

The land is inhibited by the aborigines of the Jakun and Semelai tribe. They still live their old traditional ways  and very much love the nature. Here's another interesting fact, the Jakun and Semelai, uses language that contains Khmer words. (Hint , Hint). Archaeological finding also traces artefacts of Khmer origins. There are even a couple of books written specifically to address the ancient civilization and the Chini Dragon and a few group of specific interest are still researching the activities in Lake Chini.

About 200 different species of birds, 138 species of flora, and 144 species of fresh water fish call this their home. The list includes  macaca, Malayan soft shell turtle, white handed gibbon and spiny terapin.

Macaca

White Handed Gibbon

Spiny Terapin

Lake Chini is just one of the gift of Mother Nature to Malaysia. There are many like it but Lake Chini will always be a special lake with its mystical stories. You will love being here, who know, The Naga Seri Gumum may want to bless you with is appearance



Pictures Credits : Pahang Tourism / Ecology Asia

Witness nature’s intimate encounter. Be mesmerised by the sight of sea turtles lumbering slowly up the white sandy beaches to lay eggs, especially during peak season from May to September. Rantau Abang beach in Terengganu is one of the only six places in the world where giant leatherback turtles come ashore in droves to lay eggs.

In fact, four marine turtles – the Leatherback, Green, Hawksbill, and Olive Ridley turtles have chosen Malaysia to lay their eggs. Known to swim great distances for nesting, these gentle creatures have been dwindling in numbers, with some of them on the brink of extinction.

So to be able to watch them laying eggs is truly a fascinating experience. The turtle eggs from the size of a ping pong to tennis ball has spawned a collecting frenzy, treating them like buried treasure, because of the good prices fetched in the local markets. Waiting for the right moment, female turtles try to sneak ashore without being detected, but since leatherback and green turtles weigh up to 500 and 100 kilogrammes, respectively, their chances are slim. The turtles can grow up to 2.5 metres long.

Besides Rantau Abang, other areas for turtle watching include Turtle Bay on Pangkor Island and Tanjung Jara Beach in Terengganu.  The area’s warm grainy sands and favourable beach slope make nesting easy for the lumbering creatures. 

Recommended Places to Visit:

• Rantau Abang Beach. Terengganu
• Tanjung Jara Beach, Terengganu
• Similajau National Park
• Turtle Bay, Pangkor Island

Best Time - May to Sept

Via Tourism Malaysia - VMY2014